why do you need to study creative writing

Why Learn Creative Writing?

Sean Glatch | November 1, 2022 | 5 Comments

Why learn creative writing? Truthfully, creative writing is one of the most misunderstood disciplines in the 21st century. When people think of a creative writing course, they often imagine a group of lofty, out-of-touch people who wear argyle sweater vests and have unproductive conversations about abstract concepts.

In reality, nothing could be further from the truth: the best writing classes remain engaged with the real world, and the skills gained in a creative writing course apply to nearly every facet of daily life.

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth picking up a course in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, we have five reasons to learn creative writing. But first, let’s talk about what actually happens in a creative writing course.

The Basics of a Writing Workshop

Whether you’re enrolled in a poetry, fiction, or nonfiction writing class, you can expect the following writing process – at least in a quality writing course like the ones at Writers.com.

Weekly prompts and writing exercises to sharpen the precision and necessity of each word you use.
Constructive critiques from a community of writers who are each growing their writing skills alongside you.
A creative space to explore new ideas, experiment with language, and arrange words in new and exciting ways.
Focused writing instruction from a master of the craft.

The benefits of creative writing come from engaging with the course material, the writing prompts, and the other class members. These elements help you become a better writer, both in creative realms and in everyday life. How? No matter what form of writing, a creative writing class pushes you to connect ideas and create effective narratives using the best words – and that skill translates into real world success.

The Benefits of Creative Writing

1. why learn creative writing: improved self-expression.

Improving your writing skills leads to stronger communication. When you practice finding the right word in a story or poem, you engage the same parts of your brain that are active in everyday writing and speaking. A creative writing course subconsciously turns you into a more effective communicator.

The importance of precise language and self-advocacy translates well into both interpersonal relationships and working environments. Take it from this expert on how writing and self-advocacy results in career and leadership success.

2. Why Learn Creative Writing: Job Success

This brings us to our next point: great writing leads to job success. Of course, your boss probably isn’t expecting you to write emails in the form of a short story or a sonnet – though if they are expecting this, you have a pretty cool boss.

In reality, almost every job requires some sort of written work, whether that’s simple written communication or something more elaborate, like publishing data or marketing materials. In a creative writing class, you practice the style and grammar rules necessary for effective writing, both within the realms of literature and in career-related writing. Sharpening your writing and creativity skills might just land you your next promotion.

3. Why Learn Creative Writing: Improved Thinking Skills

Strong writing leads to strong thinking. No matter what type of writing you pursue, learning how to write is another form of learning how to think.

That might seem like a bold claim, so think about it this way. Without language, our thoughts wouldn’t have form. We might not need language to think “I’m hungry” or “I like cats,” but when it comes to more abstract concepts, language is key. How would you think about things like justice, revenge, or equality without the words to express them?

When you hone in on your ability to find choice, specific words, and when you work on the skills of effective storytelling and rhetoric , you improve your ability to think in general. Good writing yields great thinking!

4. Why Learn Creative Writing: Empathy

Reading and writing both rely on empathy, especially when it comes to being an effective workshop participant. When we read and write stories, we situate ourselves in the shoes of other people; when we read and write poetry, we let language navigate us through emotion.

The importance of creative writing relies on empathy. We practice empathy whenever we listen to another person’s life story, when someone tells us about their day, and when we sit down with a client or work partner. When we write, we practice the ability to listen as well as to speak, making us more effective communicators and more compassionate human beings.

5. Why Learn Creative Writing: It’s Fun!

In case you’re not convinced that a writing course is right for you, let’s clarify one more fact: creative writing is fun. Whether you’re in a fiction writing course, starting a memoir, crafting a poem, or writing for the silver screen, you’re creating new worlds and characters. In the sandbox of literature, you’re in control, and when you invest yourself into the craft of writing, something beautiful emerges.

The Importance of Creative Writing

Simply put, creative writing helps us preserve our humanity. What better medium to explore the human experience?

To learn creative writing, like any art form, requires compassion, contemplation, and curiosity. Writers preserve the world as they observe it in stories and poetry, and they imagine a better world by creating it in their works.

Through the decades, literature has explored society’s profound changes. Literary eons like the Naturalist movement and the Beat poets responded to the increase in Western Industrialization. Confessional poets like Virginia Woolf helped transform poetry into a medium for emotional exploration and excavation. And, genre movements like the cyberpunk writers of science fiction helped popularize the idea of an “information economy.”

Thus, the importance of creative writing lies in its ability to describe the world through an honest and unfiltered lens. Anyone who engages in creative writing, no matter the genre or style, helps us explore the human experience, share new ideas, and advocate for a better society. Whether you write your stories for yourself or share them with a wide audience, creative writing makes the world a better place.

Jobs for Creative Writers

Because creative writing isn’t a STEM discipline, many people don’t think that learning it will help their job prospects. Why learn creative writing if it doesn’t make any money?

In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Creative writing skills are much sought after on resumes, since both creativity and the ability to write are soft skills in decline. Additionally, if you’re considering a career change—or ready to start one!—these are some popular jobs for creative writers.

Average Starting Salary: $51,000
Demand: High
Skills needed: creativity, grammar, timeliness

Copywriters help companies put their branding into words. A copywriter might write emails, blogs, website content, or ad copy that encompasses the company’s voice and purpose. Copywriting requires you to write in a mix of styles and forms, flexing your writing muscles in new and exciting ways.

Grant Writer

Average Starting Salary: $50,000
Skills needed: storytelling, research, argumentation

Nonprofits and research facilities rely on local and national grants to fund their projects. Grant writers help secure that funding, writing engaging grants that tell the organization’s story in an engaging, tailored, and convincing way. Creative writers will enjoy the opportunity to tell a meaningful story and create positive community change through this career.

Communications/Public Relations Specialist

Skills needed: creativity, communications, social media

A communications specialist helps drive a company’s image through various social channels. They may help create a positive narrative for their company through blogs, journalist outreach, social media, and other public-facing avenues. Much like copywriting, a PR specialist helps weave an effective story for a company.

Average Starting Salary: $55,000
Demand: Medium/High
Skills needed: creativity, storytelling, organization, self-reliance

The dream job for many writers is to write and sell books. Being a novelist is an admirable career choice—and also requires the most work. Not only do you have to write your stories, but you also have to market yourself in the literary industry and maintain a social presence so that publishers and readers actually read your work. It’s a tough business, but also incredibly rewarding!

Reasons to Learn Creative Writing: Finding a Writing Community

Finally, creative writing communities make the writing struggle worth it. The relationships you foster with other creative writers can last a lifetime, as no other group of people has the same appreciation for the written word. Creative writing communities create transformative experiences and encourage growth in your writing; if there’s one reason to study creative writing craft, it’s the friendships you make in the process.

You don’t need a class to start writing, but it’s never a waste of time to learn the tools of the trade. Creative writing requires the skills that can help you in everyday life, and a creative writing course can help.

At Writers.com, we believe that creative writing can transform both individual lives and the world at large. See the importance of creative writing for yourself: check out what makes our creative writing courses different , then take a look at our upcoming course calendar today.

Sean Glatch

Would like to apply for a course to write a novel.

I’d be happy to help! Please email [email protected] with any questions, and we’ll find the right course for your writing.

[…] Sean. “Why Learn Creative Writing.” writers.com. June 7, 2020. https://writers.com/why-learn-creative-writing . Accessed November 7, […]

[…] And last of all it’s fun! I hope to live my life doing the things I love, with like-minded creative people who I love. I have many exciting things upcoming as I continue with the process of completing my first novel, Les Année Folles, such as publishing to my first magazine, journal, and working on the millions of short story ideas I have stored in my head. Stay tuned! References: Glatch, S. (2020, June 7). WHY LEARN CREATIVE WRITING? Retrieved from Writers.com: https://writers.com/why-learn-creative-writing […]

Is a Creative Writing Degree Worth It? Let’s Get Into It.

why do you need to study creative writing

In my day—by which I mean the early 2000s—a creative writing degree was considered one of the less practical academic pursuits, only a little more reasonable than a philosophy degree and a theatre arts degree (which, incidentally, is what I have).

These days, we have a bit more appreciation for what a person can do with some well-rounded creative writing skills. Such a person can write novels and poetry, sure, but they can also compose speeches for politicians, create written content to refresh a major corporation’s brand, and craft compelling ad copy.

There’s no question about it. Creative writing is a skill that earns , depending on how you use it.

But as is the case in a lot of modern industries, we’re starting to see that a degree doesn’t carry the weight it used to. And not having a degree isn’t always a barrier to entry.

So where does that leave aspiring writers? Should you bother to pursue a creative writing degree? If so, what should you be trying to get out of it?

We’re about to go over all the ins and outs of this educational path. We’ll talk about:

The advantages of pursuing a degree in creative writing
The different types of creative writing programs
How to choose the program that’s best for you
How creative writing is taught
The career opportunities that come with a creative writing degree

Let’s start by looking at the perks.

Benefits of Pursuing a Creative Writing Degree

A smiling graduate in a cap and gown holds out a rolled-up diploma.

I’m about to list the four biggest benefits of attending a creative writing program. But I want to be clear about something:

Every one of these perks is something you can also get without a degree in creative writing.

I don’t say that to discourage you from taking this path. This might still be the best next step for your career. See, the biggest difference between getting a formal education and DIY-ing one isn’t what you learn but how you learn it.

That’s why we’re not just looking at what these four benefits are but also how you achieve them in a creative writing program.

Develop Strong Writing Skills

This is the reason most creative writing students pursue a degree. A good program offers a range of courses to help you sharpen your skills, faculty members who have real-life experience with the publishing industry, and access to visiting writers who can offer additional inspiration and insight .

Most programs incorporate writing workshops where you and your fellow students share and give feedback on your work, all under the guidance of a professor. Many universities also put out literary journals, giving students the opportunity to participate in the publishing process .

And of course, enrolling in a creative writing program ensures that you’ll be constantly writing , which is the best way to sharpen your skills.

Explore Diverse Genres and Styles

A self-guided learner has full authority to choose which areas of writing and literature they’ll explore. This is mostly a good thing, but the benefit of pursuing a creative writing degree is that your professors will see to it that you get familiar with a range of formats, genres , and styles .

This is especially true in undergraduate creative writing programs. Expect to read and analyze a wide spectrum of literature, from ancient epic poems to modern mainstream novels.

Build Your Network

This is such a notable perk that many of my friends who went to graduate school for screenwriting highlight this as the number one benefit.

Of course, you can build a network of peers and mentors without shelling out a ton of money for a formal education. But in a creative writing program, you spend all your time with other writers. You read each other’s work, struggle through the same coursework, and connect on a personal level.

Plus, if you happen to go to a school with a robust alumni network, you might find it easier to connect with those in your industry who share your alma mater after you graduate.

Widen Career Options

There are plenty of writers who don’t have a degree in creative writing—or don’t have a degree at all —who are making a decent living off of their words.

Nevertheless, a formal education can offer a wider range of options. It will give you a better shot with employers who place high value on college degrees or want to know that you have specialized knowledge regarding a specific type of writing.

And if you think you might enjoy teaching creative writing, a degree is a must.

Types of Creative Writing Degrees

A person works on a laptop at a table on the sidewalk outside of a café.

Intrigued? Then let’s explore your options more in depth.

There are several different types of creative writing degrees you can pursue, each with a slightly different focus and different opportunities once you leave school to practice your craft in the real world.

We’ll break this down one by one.

Undergraduate Degrees

It typically takes four years to complete an undergraduate creative writing program, though the timeline can be longer or shorter depending on your schedule and any credits you’ve already earned and transferred over.

We’re covering some general creative writing degrees available at the undergraduate level, but I highly recommend doing additional research. There are several more specific degrees that zero in on a particular aspect of writing, like a Bachelor of Arts in Communication or Journalism.

If you have a clear-cut vision for your writing career, start there and work backward to find the degree that makes sense for you. If you only know that you want to be writing one way or another, start by looking at these three options:

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Creative Writing

When you pursue a Bachelor of Arts, you can expect to get a well-rounded education that includes writing instruction as well as a balanced emphasis on the sciences and humanities.

It’s a liberal arts degree, basically, and it’s the most common choice for students seeking a creative writing education.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Creative Writing

BFA programs are much rarer than BA programs, but it’s worth considering one if you want an education that puts a heavy emphasis on the “arts” part.

This type of program focuses less on sciences and humanities. It often includes hands-on writing workshops (more on those in a bit) and is favored by students who fully intend to become authors, playwrights, screenwriters, or poets.

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Writing

If you think you might enjoy applying your creative writing skills to something more scientific or analytical, a BS might be the best option for you.

This is a popular option for students who see themselves getting into technical writing, cultural studies, or communication.

Graduate Degrees

A group of smiling people sit around a table in a meeting room, surrounded by coffee cups and laptops.

Postgraduate education—or grad school, as the cool kids call it—comes after you’ve earned an undergraduate degree. The most common reasons to seek out a graduate degree in creative writing include:

You think you might like to teach creative writing at the college level one day
You earned an undergraduate degree in a different field and now you want to study writing
You just really want to go deep on this subject

Just as with undergrad degrees, there are highly specific grad programs you can explore. Or you can dive into one of these:

Master of Arts (MA) in Creative Writing

While an MA program doesn’t have the humanities and sciences components of a BA program, it still maintains a balance between participating in the arts and observing them.

That is to say, you’ll do a ton of writing in this program, but you’ll also read and analyze a fair amount of literature.

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing

MFA programs tend to be super hands-on, with workshops in which students share and give feedback on each other’s writing. Over the course of the program, you’ll complete a book-length work like a novel or poetry collection.

You also might find that you need more credits to earn an MFA degree than an MA in creative writing.

PhD in Creative Writing

Now you’re just stalling. Write your book already.

I’m kidding. A PhD is a perfectly reasonable option if you want to study literature and creative writing in great depth. Most students who take their writing education this far are also planning to build a career in academia in addition to being a published author.

PhD programs are extremely rigorous, can last four years, and conclude with a dissertation project.

Writing Workshops vs. Writing Courses

A professor stands at the front of an auditorium, lecturing creative writing students.

At this point, we should probably discuss the difference between writing courses and workshops in an academic setting. You’ll find both in many programs, but the balance between these two educational experiences will depend on which type of creative writing degree you pursue.

It will also influence your entire learning experience.

What Makes a Course a Course?

A creative writing course is exactly what you think of when you imagine any class in a formal education setting.

In a course, a professor lectures on specific topics, assigns projects, and grades students on their performance. There may be class discussions and even opportunities for students to share and engage with each others’ writing. But the overall structure of a course focuses on conveying information.

What Makes a Workshop a Workshop?

A creative writing workshop is more hands-on. While the professor will share insights and guide discussions, the primary purpose of a workshop is to help students refine their craft. They share their work and give each other feedback.

You see much more of this learning style in BFA and MFA programs, which put greater emphasis on honing creative skills. If you want your writing education to include analyzing literature or studying the business end of publishing, you’ll probably want to look into more course-heavy BA or MA programs.

Renowned Creative Writing Programs

A person sitting at a computer smiles and gives a thumbs up.

This is usually when a person wants to know where they should go to get these degrees. What are the best creative writing programs out there?

Really, the best program is the one that fits you. Reputation is just one of many factors you should consider when you decide where to pursue a degree in creative writing.

That said, it’s always a good move to know the respected institutions in your field. It helps you sound informed at cocktail parties. To that end, here are some of the most revered schools in the world of creative writing (in the U.S., anyway):

The Iowa Writers’ Workshop
Brown University
Columbia University
Duke University
Emory University
Mizzou (Journalism)
Northwestern University

Choosing the Right Creative Writing Program

A person stares at laptop, brow furrowed.

If prestige shouldn’t be a top consideration when deciding where to earn a degree in creative writing, what should you prioritize?

Here are a few factors to keep in mind as you research your options:

Career goals - Do you want a program that’s going to prepare you for a job in marketing that pays the bills while you write poetry on the side? Do you want to become a globe-trotting journalist or a high-earning technical writer?

Decide what will be the best degree for you, then zero in on the schools that excel in that area of study.

And don’t forget to consider genre! If you want to earn an MFA but are interested in commercial fiction writing, make sure you find a program that matches your goals. Literary fiction tends to get all the love in higher education.

Faculty - Research who you’ll be learning from. Do they seem like the right folks to guide you on your professional journey?

Curriculum - Learn everything you can about a school’s course options and creative writing majors before you commit. Will you be able to focus on the area of writing that matters most to you? Will the skills you learn help you do fun things in the real world like eat and pay rent?

Location - There are accredited creative writing programs that are entirely online. However, many of your best options will be in-person or low residency . Not only is the location relevant for practical reasons—you have to be able to get there—it can also influence how much you pay to go.

If you attend a state school in your own state, for example, you can expect to pay less than the out-of-state students.

Results - Do a little digging to find out what graduates say about their experience in the program. What did they like about it? What didn’t they like? Would they say it was worth it? What are they doing with their creative writing degree now?

Cost - You’re probably way ahead of me here, but I’ll mention it, anyway. The less you pay for a degree in creative writing, the greater your return on investment will be. Look at tuition costs, possible scholarships, out-of-state versus in-state expenses, and the local cost of living.

Career Opportunities with a Creative Writing Degree

Two people shake hands over a desk after a job interview.

Maybe you decided long ago that you definitely want to go to college. Maybe for you, the question isn’t whether you want a degree at all but whether a degree in creative writing is a good use of your college fund.

In that case, we should talk career opportunities. What exactly can you do with a creative writing degree?

A lot, as it turns out. In fact, we have this ridiculously long list of jobs that require strong creative writing skills. You can follow the link to explore them in depth, but here’s a quick sample of what’s in there:

Proofreader
Content writer
Technical writer
Social media writer
Screenwriter
Speechwriter
Literary agent
Brand strategist
Corporate communications specialist

That’s really only scratching the surface, and it doesn’t even touch on the ways your writing skills might serve you in less creative professions. I know multiple lawyers with a creative writing degree they credit for making them significantly better at drafting legal arguments. (On the flip side, an alarming number of lawyers become screenwriters or novelists.)

The important thing is to consider different creative writing majors carefully. Between the different schools, degrees, and areas of concentration, you’ve got lots of options and plenty of opportunities to select the education path that leads to your ideal writing career.

Whatever You Do, Keep Learning

A screenshot of the Story Craft Café homepage with a post reading 'I beleaf in you."

Only you can decide if a creative writing degree is the right move for you. Whether you go for it or not, remember that continuous learning is the best thing you can do to ensure a successful and fulfilling writing career.

Keep reading work that inspires you. Build and nurture your writer network. Proactively seek out workshops, seminars, conferences , books, articles… anything you can get your hands on that will help you sharpen your skills.

And while I wouldn’t claim it’s a one-to-one replacement for the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, remember that Dabble is always here for you with a shocking amount of free educational resources and a supportive community in the Story Craft Café .

Peruse the hundreds of articles, templates, and worksheets in DabbleU . Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly guidance delivered straight to your inbox. Download this free, 100-page ebook walking you through the entire novel-writing process.

Even if you need a little more time to decide if you want a degree in creative writing, you can start boosting your skills now.

So what are you waiting for?

Abi Wurdeman is the author of Cross-Section of a Human Heart: A Memoir of Early Adulthood, as well as the novella, Holiday Gifts for Insufferable People. She also writes for film and television with her brother and writing partner, Phil Wurdeman. On occasion, Abi pretends to be a poet. One of her poems is (legally) stamped into a sidewalk in Santa Clarita, California. When she’s not writing, Abi is most likely hiking, reading, or texting her mother pictures of her houseplants to ask why they look like that.

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Creative Writing: What It Is and Why It Matters

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on Published: January 13, 2023 - Last updated: January 15, 2023

Categories Writing

Writing can be intimidating for many people, but creative writing doesn’t have to be. Creative writing is a form of self-expression that allows writers to create stories, characters, and unique settings. But what exactly is creative writing? And why is it important in today’s society? Let’s explore this further.

How We Define Creative Writing

Creative writing is any form where writers can express their thoughts and feelings imaginatively. This type of writing allows authors to draw on their imagination when creating stories and characters and play with language and structure. While there are no boundaries in creative writing, most pieces will contain dialogue, description, and narrative elements.

The Importance of Creative Writing

Creative writing is important because:

It helps us express ourselves in ways we may not be able to do with other forms of communication.
It allows us to explore our creativity and think outside the box.
It can help us better understand our emotions by exploring them through storytelling or poetry.
Writing creatively can also provide much-needed escapism from everyday life, allowing us to escape into a world of our creation.
Creative writing helps us connect with others by sharing our experiences through stories or poems they can relate to. This way, we can gain insight into other people’s lives while giving them insight into ours.

Creative Writing: A Path to Mental and Emotional Wellness

Writing is more than just a way to express your thoughts on paper. It’s a powerful tool that can be used as a form of therapy. Creative writing has been shown to improve emotional and mental well-being.

Through creative writing, we can gain insight into our emotions, develop self-expression and communication skills, cultivate empathy and understanding of others, and boost our imagination and creativity.

Let’s examine how creative writing can relieve stress and emotional catharsis.

Stress Relief and Emotional Catharsis

Writing has the power to reduce stress levels significantly. Writing about our experiences or about things that are causing us anxiety or distress helps us to release those complicated feelings constructively. By expressing ourselves through creative writing, we can work through the emotions associated with stressful situations without having to confront them directly.

This is especially helpful for people who struggle to share their emotions verbally or in person.

Improved Communication and Self-Expression

Creative writing is also beneficial for improving communication skills. Through creative writing, we can explore our thoughts and feelings more intensely than by speaking them aloud. This allows us to think more clearly about what we want to say before actually saying it out loud or in written form, which leads to improved self-expression overall.

Additionally, writing out our thoughts before speaking aloud allows us to articulate ourselves better when communicating with others—which is essential for healthy personal and professional relationships.

Increased Empathy and Understanding of Others

Through creative writing, we can also increase our empathy towards others by exploring different perspectives on various topics that may be unfamiliar or uncomfortable for us—such as racism, homophobia, sexism, etc.—and allowing ourselves the opportunity to see the situation from someone else’s point of view without judgment or bias. This helps us become better communicators and more understanding individuals overall.

The Professional Benefits of Creative Writing

Creative writing is a powerful tool that can help you communicate better and more effectively in the professional world. It can also help you develop various skills that prove invaluable in many industries. Whether you’re looking to build your résumé or improve your communication, creative writing can effectively achieve both.

Let’s take a closer look at how creative writing can benefit your career.

Preparing Students for Careers in Writing, Editing, and Publishing

Creative writing is the perfect foundation for anyone interested in pursuing a career in writing, editing, or publishing. It teaches students the basics of grammar and composition while allowing them to express their ideas in imaginative ways.

Creative writing classes also allow students to learn from professionals who have experience as editors, agents, and publishers. They can use this knowledge to learn creative writing, refine their craft and gain valuable experience before entering the job market.

Improving Skills in Storytelling and Marketing for Various Careers

Creative writing teaches students to think critically about stories and craft compelling narratives that draw readers in. This skill is precious for those who wish to pursue careers outside traditional writing roles—such as marketing or advertising—where storytelling is key.

People who understand the fundamentals of creative writing will be able to create persuasive copy that resonates with readers and effectively conveys a message.

Enhancing Team Collaboration and Leadership Skills

Creative writing isn’t just about expressing yourself through words; it also provides an opportunity to practice working collaboratively with others on projects. Many creative writing classes require students to work together on group projects, which helps them develop essential teamwork skills such as communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.

As they work together on these projects, they will also gain confidence in their ability to lead teams effectively—an invaluable asset no matter what industry they pursue after graduation.

Uncovering the Power of Creative Writing

Creative writing has become an increasingly powerful force in shaping our society. Creative writing has many uses, from preserving cultural heritage to promoting social change.

Preserving Cultural Heritage with Creative Writing

Creative writing has long been used to preserve and share cultural heritage stories. This is done through fictional stories or poetry that explore a particular culture or group’s history, values, and beliefs. By weaving these stories in an engaging way, writers can bring a culture’s history and traditions to life for readers worldwide. This helps bridge cultural gaps by providing insight into what makes each culture unique.

Promoting Social Change & Activism with Creative Writing

Creative writing can also be used for activism and social change. Writers can craft stories that help promote awareness about important issues such as poverty, race relations, gender equality, climate change, and more.

With the power of words, writers can inspire readers to take action on these issues and work towards creating positive change in their communities.

Through creative writing, writers can raise awareness about important topics while fostering empathy toward individuals who may be facing difficult or challenging situations.

Fostering Creativity & Innovation with Creative Writing

Finally, creative writing can foster creativity and innovation in various fields. For example, businesses can use creative copywriting techniques to create compelling content that captures the attention of customers or potential investors.

Aspiring entrepreneurs can use storytelling techniques when pitching their ideas or products to potential partners or investors to make their cases more persuasive and memorable.

By harnessing the power of words through creative writing techniques, businesses can create content that resonates with their target audience while inspiring them to take action on whatever message they’re trying to convey. It often aids the overall creative process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of creative writing.

Creative writing has many benefits, both for the writer and the reader. For the writer, it can be therapeutic, helping them to explore their emotions and better understand themselves. It can also be used as entertainment or communication, allowing them to share their ideas with the world. For the reader, creative writing can provide enjoyment, escapism, and insights into the human condition.

How can I improve my creative writing skills?

There are several ways you can improve your creative writing skills. Firstly, make sure you allow yourself time to write regularly. Use a writing prompt to inspire a short story. Secondly, read as much as you can; great writers are also great readers. Thirdly, experiment with different styles and genres to find one that suits you best. Fourthly, join a writers’ group, writing workshop, or creative writing program to get feedback from other writers. Finally, keep a journal to track your progress and reflect on your work as a creative writer.

What is the importance of imagery in creative writing?

Imagery is an important element of creative writing, as it helps to create a more vivid picture for the reader. By using sensory and descriptive language, writers can transport readers into their stories and help them relate to their characters or themes. Imagery can bring a scene alive with detail and evoke emotion by helping readers create strong visual images in their minds. Furthermore, imagery can help make stories more memorable by giving readers a deeper connection with the characters or setting.

What are the elements of creative writing?

The elements of creative writing include plot, character, dialogue, setting, theme, and point of view. The plot is the structure or main storyline, while the character is the personage involved in this story. Dialogue includes conversations between characters to give insight into their emotions and relationships. Setting refers to the place or time in which a story takes place, while theme explores deeper meanings behind a story’s narrative. Finally, point of view defines how readers experience a story through first-person or third-person omniscient narration.

What’s the difference between creative writing and other types of writing?

The main difference between creative writing and other types of writing is that it allows the writer to create their own story, characters, settings, and themes. Creative writing also encourages writers to be inventive with their style and use descriptive language to evoke emotion or bring stories alive in readers’ minds. Other academic or technical writing types typically involve more research-based information and are usually more objective in their presentation. Additionally, most forms of non-creative writing will have stricter rules regarding grammar, structure, and syntax.

What is the golden rule of creative writing?

The golden rule of creative writing is to show, not tell. It’s the core creative writing skill. When it comes to creative writing, it’s essential to use descriptive language that immerses readers in the story and allows them to experience the events through their emotions and imaginations. This can be done through metaphors, similes, sensory language, and vivid imagery.

How important is creativity in writing?

Creativity is essential in writing as it allows writers to craft a unique story and evoke emotion from the reader. Creativity can bring stories alive with fresh perspectives and exciting plot lines while creating an escape for readers and giving them more profound insights into the human condition. Writers who combine creativity with technical aspects such as grammar, structure, language usage, and flow will create pieces that capture their audience’s attention and provide an enjoyable reading experience.

Ten Penny Dreams

Writes. Reads. Wanders. Dreams.

What is Creative Writing and Why Do I Need to Study It?

July 23, 2013

So, there’s a lot of talk about creative writing, but what exactly is it?

All writing is creative to some extent, no matter how technical or dull your subject. In fact, it can be an art in itself to transform a boring news release or academic article on, say, industrial filters into something engaging and readable.

There are many ways that you can define creative writing but to me it is a form of expression; it isn’t simply functional. It aims to entertain, to move, to inspire, to become art.

Creative writing can encompass fiction, poetry or scripts, basically anything that focuses on narrative, character development or literary themes and aims to elicit an emotional response from the reader.

When you write creatively, you are telling your audience a story, you are asking them to believe in the world and characters that you have created, to invest their time in these imagined lives.

Some people believe that the ability to write is an innate talent that a person is born with. Others would argue that the only way to become a good writer is to work hard, practice and constantly refine your work.

But everyone needs help and everyone, without exception, could be better at their craft. No matter how beautiful your prose, how well plotted your narratives or how realistic your characters are, there is always room for improvement. It’s something that we should always strive for.

There are plenty of places that can provide guidance to an aspiring writer: handbooks, local book or writers’ groups, library workshops, mentoring schemes, regional agencies, online courses or academic degrees .

It can be hard to choose, but the key is to define what you need to support and improve your writing.

Writing can be an isolating career and one of the most valuable aspects of undertaking a writing course can be finding like-minded people to encourage, assist and evaluate your work.

You might also want:

Feedback on a particular piece of writing
To allow yourself the time to write and be creative
A support network
To learn a new discipline, such as writing screenplays when you’ve previously only written poetry
To make industry connections
To improve your editing skills
To find inspiration
To approach your work in an academic setting
Help with the professional side of writing, such as dealing with agents and publishers

Taking a course in creative writing can be the spur that inspires the student to become a fully fledged writer, something they may only have dreamed about previously.

Of course, studying for a degree doesn’t guarantee you publication and the cost will be prohibitive for some. But if you’re struggling to move forward with your writing career, seek out the right group or mentor for support and your creative side will flourish.

8 Good Reasons to Study Creative Writing

Whether or not people are aware, writing is a huge part of everyday life and can be found in almost every facet of communication. Reading a book or poem is quite literally where words are creatively telling a story, but creative writing exists in film, theatre, television, social media, almost anywhere something is communicated. So if it’s so ubiquitous, why study it? The answer lies in the quality of what we read and what we listen to and watch. Anyone with basic levels of literacy can write, but only a few write well. The reason for this has as much to do with skill as it does with talent; and this is where a creative writing course is invaluable.

Here are 8 fundamental reasons why studying creative writing is an absolute necessity for anyone eager to improve their writing.

1. Enhancing Writing Skills

In order to enhance writing skills, the writer must push themselves out of their comfort zone and test their mettle. A tutor will task students to write a variety of different assignments and by experimenting with different genres, a writer will expose themself to an inner voice they may never have otherwise known existed. If you enjoy writing fiction, write a memoir. If you love poetry, write an article. Try a screenplay, a crime story, a blog! Whatever it is, make sure it’s new to you. It should at first feel a little clumsy and awkward, but with the guidance of a tutor, you will soon discover that you have perhaps a broader range of writing skills than you originally believed.

2. Encouraging Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is a skill that is taught and should not be mistaken for finding fault or simply comparing work. It is analysis and story dissection. In order for a writer to accurately evaluate a story structure or understand pace or character development, they first need informed guidance to understand how to approach such intelligent critique. These skills are invaluable, not just in writing, but in everyday problem-solving and decision-making.

3. Fostering a Sense of Community

There are those who want to write but are not at all comfortable with the solitary nature of the craft. However, writing does not need to be a solo endeavour. Creative writing courses offer a supportive community of like-minded individuals where students will share their work, receive feedback, and engage in constructive criticism. This is a vital part of your development as a writer and is a truly interactive experience.

4. Providing Access to Experienced Instructors

This is gold! One of the greatest assets of a creative writing course is the access to experienced and knowledgeable instructors. Professional writers can provide guidance, share industry insights, and offer invaluable feedback to help refine your writing.

5. Building a Writing Routine

As a writer, you will be dependent on self governance and self discipline. Again, these are skills that are taught and with a little practice, can indeed become a daily routine of life. The nature of a structured course will naturally encourage consistency and direction, helping writers develop a writing schedule. Writing is a job and involves commitment and continuous effort. A creative writing course can introduce this mindset to a budding writer, without them even realising it is happening.

6. Enhancing Emotional Intelligence

Through storytelling and character development, writers must learn to empathise and to look at the world from different perspectives. Characters can be fictional or nonfiction, fantastical or mundane but one thing they cannot be is the same as each other. In order to create stories and characters with depth and humanity, a writer must delve into areas unfamiliar to them. Characters cannot always have the same opinions, outlook and desires as the writer. This exploration will, almost by osmosis, enhance emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills.

7. Boosting Confidence

An enormous benefit of studying creative writing is the confidence a writer will earn as they progress through a course . Feedback from peers and from a tutor will help a writer to see where they can improve and where they are succeeding. It can be very difficult for a writer to critically analyse their own work, they are simply too close to it. This boosted self-esteem can extend beyond writing and can positively impact other areas of life.

8. Offering a Creative Outlet

A creative writing course provides a structured outlet for self-expression. Students can channel their thoughts, feelings, and ideas into their work and feel the freedom and encouragement to take some risks and to truly express themselves. Attending a course can provide a sense of catharsis and a great sense of personal fulfilment.

Whether you're looking to improve your writing skills, connect with a community of writers, or simply find a creative outlet, our creative writing course offers a wealth of benefits. Our tutors are professional writers with experience across numerous genres. If you have a story you want to tell but are not sure how to channel it, our courses are where you’ll find that path. Perhaps you are already a published author or a writer interested in broadening their skillset, then we have just the course for you. With experienced instructors, a supportive environment, and a focus on critical thinking and emotional intelligence, these courses provide a comprehensive experience that can significantly enhance both your writing and your personal development.

Enrol today and find your writing voice.

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Creative Writing

Why You Should Study Literature and Creative Writing

Posted by by Antioch University
June 15, 2021

Words have power. This might be easy to forget in our day-to-day conversations with family and friends. We might not think much about the words we use and the impact they have on others when we’re just writing matter-of-fact emails or sending pithy texts.

It is when we sit down to discuss a favorite book – either in a classroom setting or among fellow book enthusiasts – that we realize just how effective a few well-chosen words are. They can set a scene, evoke a distant but familiar emotion, and move us to action.

This is part of what makes the study of literature and creative writing so essential. It reveals to us how we can take a practical tool we use daily, our written language, and transform it into something that illuminates, teaches, and inspires.

In this article, we will explore in great detail why the study of literature and creative writing is so valuable:

1. Literature Teaches Us About the Human Condition

Whether you lose yourself in an ancient epic poem or a sweeping contemporary novel, you will likely come to the same conclusion as you get to know the characters: certain human traits span generations. Sure, the world is quite different now than it was in the 8th century when Homer composed The Odyssey. Still, even if we can’t relate to Odysseus and his formidable interactions with gods and mythical beasts, we can understand his voracious appetite for glory, and his headstrong personality.

More importantly, literature reminds us what can happen if we give in to our more dangerous innate desires. You may recall from past English classes the many conflicts that plague protagonist after protagonist: man versus machine, man versus man, man versus nature, man versus self. No matter the plot or setting, it’s always man that’s left fighting. This is unlikely to change anytime soon, but literature distills these conflicts into moments we can pore over, analyze, and savor. In doing so, we can better understand why we succumb to such conflicts and what we can do to preserve ourselves and the world around us.

2. Literature Teaches Us How to Empathize With Others

To expand upon the first point, literature exposes us to many places we may never see and situations we will likely never experience first-hand. Obviously, we’ll never get to tour the Underworld like Dante and Virgil in Inferno. We’ll never experience the towering lighthouse or the sea that rages beneath it exactly as the Ramsays had in Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse.

Even so, we can experience these journeys and moments as human beings, just by reading them for ourselves. We can feel the same horror, shed the same tears, and behold the beauty of the same wonders. We just have to do it from the comfort of a couch or desk.

A 2006 study conducted by psychology professor Keith Oatley at the University of Toronto found that people who read a lot of fiction tend to score better on tests that measure empathy and emotional intelligence. While researchers are still working to better understand the link between empathy and regular reading, we can reasonably conclude that our favorite books stir something within us, something that feels uniquely human.

3. Writing Helps Us Break Down Barriers

Now that we have touched upon why studying literature matters, we should explore why the act of writing itself is so important.

To put it simply, writing allows us to escape our confines to connect with others. Everyday life does not always grant us these freedoms. We must begin every morning ready to go through the motions, share small talk with colleagues, maybe even a tepid handshake or half-smile. In doing so, we may be forced to overlook the world in all its chaos and injustice.

When it comes to writing, though, the only things that separate us are the words we hold back. Sometimes, withholding certain details makes sense. With creative writing, you decide how to bridge the gap between yourself and the world and what paths you want to lead your readers down. You choose how to break barriers–either with force or with gentleness. What matters is that you break these barriers and invite your readers inside.

When you study writing, you learn how to do these things without isolating people or drawing them further away. Instead, you learn how to beckon them closer.

4. Writing Allows Us to Share New Ideas With a Wide Audience

So, the barriers have come down. You have at last heard your own voice without these walls standing in the way, and you recognize it as something you want to share. How can you share this information in a fair, balanced manner while still engaging your audience?

Another wonderful thing about writing is that you can make unpleasant truths and sobering facts more palpable simply by choosing the right words and organizing them in a way that makes sense for your audience. For example, the creative narrative about sustainable energy that you write for high school students will look quite different from the research essay that you turn in to your Ethics professor.

Learning how to present important information to many different types of audiences takes practice. Once you master this skill, you will find it valuable not only as a scholar but also as a creative, future employee, and human being who likes to share uncommon knowledge. Studying writing teaches you how to synthesize research, and how to use it to inform and inspire people who might otherwise overlook it entirely.

Literature and Creative Writing: An Unstoppable Duo

In sum, good writing stands the test of time. In many ways, a classic novel or timeless poem is like some unmovable natural wonder, like an untouched expanse of forest or an echoing canyon: no matter how many people approach it over several years, there is always the chance of seeing in it something new. At the very least, you can experience what so many before you have experienced and appreciate that experience in the context of your own life.

Creative writing is similar, in that you get to make use of the same language that so many before you have shaped, reshaped, broken, and mended. Some words are well-worn and appear in novels and poems again and again. Think: love, soul, darkness, light, shadow, rose, sun, moon, joy, despair. That said, just because so many writers approach these words with reverence does not mean that you cannot find a place for them or words like them. Like literature, it is your own experiences that grant these words color, context, and life.

Studying both literature and creative writing can help you unearth these experiences.

Creative Writing and Literature at Antioch University

The celebrated poet, and Antioch University Faculty, Victoria Chang envisions a writing world in which collaboration, generosity, and mutual aid are regular features. In both her life as a writer and in her role as chair of Antioch’s MFA in Creative Writing program, Victoria embodies these qualities, which together she calls “literary citizenship.” And she inspires her students to do the same. Discover the conversation in The Seed Field Podcast and explore how building a more inclusive writing community benefits everyone.

Master’s and Bachelor’s Programs

Expand Your Knowledge as a Literary or Dramatic Artist

The low-residency MFA in Creative Writing program at Antioch University is built for working professionals and structured to mirror the lives that professional writers actually live. Focus genres include creative nonfiction, fiction, playwriting, poetry, young people, or writing for the screen.

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Earn Your Bachelor’s and Find Influence in Written Language

With programs on-campus and online our flexible courses fit your schedule. Antioch University’s bachelor’s degrees offer a number of concentrations to support your writing career goals: Literature and Creative Writing , Professional & Creative Writing , Applied Arts & Media , Communication and Media .

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Study Creative Writing, why & how to study

A degree in creative writing will develop your imagination and storytelling skills to help you find your voice..

What’s Creative Writing?

What creative writing degrees can you study, what do you need to get onto a creative writing degree, what topics does a creative writing degree cover, how will you be assessed, why study creative writing, are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a creative writing degree, what are the postgraduate opportunities, similar subjects to creative writing, have any questions, looking for clearing advice.

The Clearing concierge has the answers

Creative Writing degrees cover all aspects of writing from fiction to non-fiction and poetry to scriptwriting. You’ll develop a portfolio of work and explore the many career options available to you.

Take a look at the university league table for Creative Writing.

Undergraduate degrees in Creative Writing can be studied as a single subject or combined with other areas like literature, film and drama. Some examples include:

Creative Writing BA

Develop your creative and critical writing skills and expand your range and capabilities as a writer. Topics typically cover approaches to literature and cultural history, critical thinking and literary theory among others.

Search for Creative Writing courses.

American Literature with Creative Writing BA

If you are a lover of American literature, indulge your passion by developing your creative practice, knowledge of American literature, and your industry links. This option often includes a year studying abroad.

Explore American Literature with Creative Writing Courses.

English with Creative Writing BA

A programme that allows students to focus on creating their own texts, alongside studying the work of other writers.

Look for English with Creative Writing courses.

Journalism and Creative Writing BA

A Journalism with Creative Writing BA will teach you core journalistic techniques and help you develop writing skills to deliver effective content across multiple platforms, while also encouraging your creative side.

Discover Journalism and Creative Writing courses.

Theatre: Writing, Directing and Performance BA

Develop keen critical analysis skills alongside your practical work in acting, directing and playwriting, and explore a broad range of plays and productions covering theatre’s many pasts and presents.

Find Theatre: Writing, Directing and Performance courses.

Other options

Options may include an integrated foundation year or placement in the UK or abroad.

Find a Creative Writing undergraduate course
Types of undergraduate degrees

Must have

Entry requirements for a Creative Writing degree at a university range from 80–160 UCAS points. This could include:

A Levels: AAA–CCE
BTECs: DDD–MMP (may also require an English Literature A Level)
Scottish Highers: AAAAB–BBBB (Advanced Highers: AAB–ABB)
International Baccalaureate: 38–26
Universities usually ask for English or English literature at A Level (or equivalent) and a sample of your own writing

Good to have

If you’re doing a combined degree, an A Level of equivalent in the additional subject
Evidence of extensive reading and your influences
Evidence of your love of writing e.g., involvement with writing group, entering writing competition, going to author talks and literary festivals
Relevant work experience or volunteering e.g., supporting communications for a charity, office work at a publisher, shadowing a copywriter
Portfolio of work, e.g., your own blog or contributing articles to magazines
Entry requirements
About UCAS points
Alternatives to A Levels

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

Adventures in literature and the history of ideas
Composition and creative writing
Creative writing drama
Epic into novel
Future directions
Imagine this: prompts for creative writing
Writing for publication
Writing for short form media
Writing poetry and fiction

Assessments are mainly coursework based, and may include the following methods:

Presentation
Reflective writing
A dissertation is usually a final year option

Career-specific skills

Skills in creative writing to the standards required by the industry – whether publishing, film and TV, or for web content online
Editing, redrafting and proofreading

Transferable skills

Communication
Creative thinking and analysis
Digital skills
Negotiation
Prioritising and time management
Problem solving
Research and analysis
Self-discipline

Professional accreditation

While there are no general professional accreditations for creative writing degrees, there may be some associated with it, for example, the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).

Professional organisations

There are many different professional organisations relating to the different genres of creative writing, here are some places to start:

Publishers Association
National Centre for Writing
Society of Authors
The Writer’s Guild of Great Britain

The course appealed to me because of the course structure and syllabus. It is one of the only ones offering creative writing, English literature, and a dedicated publishing module. On a personal level, the lecturers have constantly pushed me to take more risks with my writing, to experiment and have fun with language and structure. Daniel, London Met

Read more about Daniel's story
Reasons to study Creative Writing

Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Creative Writing degree?

Some universities offer students an arts scholarship, bursary or grant. It’s worth seeing if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers e.g., materials, tuition fees or living costs.

What do Creative Writing graduates earn?

Entry-level salaries start from around £16,700–£22,000 with many areas to go into. For example, an editorial assistant could earn between £18,000–£23,000, increasing to an average of £37,000 for a managing editor and make anything between £45,000–£65,000 as an editorial director.

See what students do and earn after graduation

What jobs can you get as a Creative Writing graduate?

There are lots of possible career paths, some obvious, some less so including:

Brand consultant
Digital marketing executive
Editorial assistant
English teacher
Games writer
Press officer
Scriptwriter
Social media manager
Social worker
Travel writer
Web content manager
Writer in residence in prisons

Examples of postgraduate courses include:

Creative Writing PG/Dip/MA/MSt/MSc/MLitt/PhD
Crime and Thriller Writing MSt
Comedy Studies PhD
English Literary Studies with Creative Writing MA
Playwriting & Screenwriting MFA/MLitt
Find postgraduate courses for Creative Writing
Types of postgraduate degrees

If you enjoy a good story, you might also consider:

Drama, Dance & Cinematics

Search undergraduate Creative Writing courses now!

Ask our experts! You can email [email protected] with your question about studying Creative Writing – we’ll be happy to hear from you.

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Why the teaching of creative writing matters

Lecturer in Creative Writing, University of Bolton

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Simon Holloway lectures in Creative Writing at The University of Bolton

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For the last 30 years or so the rise of creative writing programmes in universities has been met with seemingly unending howls of derision from all quarters. Hanif Kureishi, novelist, screenwriter – and professor of creative writing at Kingston University – described them as a “waste of time”. But universities around the world beg to differ, as the increasing number of courses and students testify.

The recent Sunday Times league tables for universities ranked the quality of teaching in creative writing at The University of Bolton as the best in the country. The programme there also boasts the highest ranking in terms of student experience.

Given that I am the only full-time lecturer in creative writing at Bolton – and also led the programme for two of the three years the recent figures cover – I should be able easily to explain our success, and why our students rate our teaching so highly. I say “should”, because I’m not sure of the answer.

There are easy ways to get students to rate teaching highly. We can tailor the classes to their personal needs and wants, and give them all high marks. Or we can teach them at a lower level than we should so that they feel a greater sense of achievement. But at Bolton we do none of these. So what’s the secret?

The measure of a mark

How you actually go about judging the quality of teaching – particularly with a subject like creative writing – is tricky. There are the normal ways that universities use: peer-assessment, student feedback, the evaluation of staff by professionals who specialise in methods of teaching and learning and staff development programmes. And as Bolton is a teaching intensive, research informed university we do a lot of these things, and I think we do them very well.

But I wonder whether what is being measured or evaluated in these assessments is more the style of the teacher, rather than the content. Most assessors are experts in teaching methods and practices – and it’s unreasonable to expect them to have detailed knowledge of every subject.

As non-specialists they are able to measure the levels of student engagement, of academic challenge, of whether the “learning outcomes” which plague university teaching in creative writing are being met. And if you measure it this way, then it’s quite possible that detractors such as Kureishi are right.

A place for play

Except that the teaching of creative writing, when done well, is about more than the skills and craft and technique, important as these things are. And as the writer and lecturer Liam Murray Bell describes, writers must find and use a consistency of tone, style and voice.

It’s also about encouraging students to play, to move beyond their normal styles and subjects of writing, beyond their use of traditional structural, narrative and poetic forms – and to ask them to see what happens. In this sense university is a place for play . Teacher and game designer Eric Zimmerman has defined play as:

The free space of movement within a more rigid structure. Play exists both because of and also despite the more rigid structures of a system.

If students are not actively encouraged to play then we are simply encouraging them to remain as static as they were when they entered higher education – even if they are more adept at using “writerly” skills and techniques.

The secret of success

To me it seems there is no “secret” to good teaching. You do the basics, and you do them as well as you possibly can. You limit class numbers. You give student-writers the individual attention they crave. You make sure that your teachers are good writers and that your writers are good teachers, so that expertise can be shared effectively.

And you make students read widely. They should read the classics, I suppose, but they should also read the “non-classics” – what many academics see as trash fiction. And they should read their peers and contemporaries too.

Importantly, they should read things such as advertising billboards and street signs, the shapes of buildings, the colour of the pavement, the weather, the look in people’s faces. Writers need to breathe in so that they can breathe out their own individual reactions and responses. At Bolton we spend time reading and breathing, and that helps students find voices and interactions which can blend with the craft of writing to produce work which means something to them.

Very few students will earn a living as a writer. But writing is about more than that, and the ability to communicate effectively is a rare and precious thing. Good teaching should not be measured in the texts which students produce, then, but in the knowledge gained through the actions of writing – knowledge which lasts forever.

In the end, if students enjoy their studies, and believe that they’re gaining skills which are transferable in the workplace and will last them well beyond university, then perhaps that is what they see as ‘good teaching’. And perhaps too they’re the best ones to judge.

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Should You Really Be A Creative Writing Major?

College Info

So you’re thinking about majoring in creative writing! Completing an undergraduate creative writing program can be a great way to explore your love of fiction or poetry and hone your craft.

As edifying as a creative writing major can be, it may not be what you expect. Dedicated creative writing majors are also quite uncommon, so if you're committed to getting your degree in that subject, you'll have a narrower pool of possible colleges. This post will help you decide whether a creative writing major is right for you.

Feature Image: Nilufer Gadgieva /Flickr

Many Great Schools (with Awesome Writing Classes) Don't Have a Creative Writing Major

As I mentioned above, creative writing is a relatively rare major, so if you're solely focused on schools with a dedicated creative writing degree, you might miss out on schools that could be a great fit for you.

Keep in mind that a lot of school that don’t offer specific majors still have great opportunities to pursue creative writing, whether by completing a minor, contributing to the campus literary journal, or simply taking classes.

Even if you know you want to study creative writing, try researching the opportunities available at different schools with an open mind . You might be surprised by what you find!

You're Going to Have to Read — A Lot

I once had a friend who loved writing ;but hated reading—especially if he had to analyze the text. If you tend to agree with him, and would rather be submerged in a vat of ants than write a paper about Virginia Woolf's use of symbolism to comment on World War I in The Waves , this course of study isn't right for you. Most creative writing majors are run by the English department, and, in fact, many are special tracks within the English major. As such, they involve a lot of reading of all kinds , including fiction, plays, poetry, and literary theory.

I was an English major in undergrad, and we were expected to read a roughly book a week in each class . Some were long (I had one professor assign the longest single volume novel in the English language ) and some were short, but it added up to a lot of books! You’ll also have to write critical essays analyzing these works of literature—if you really only want to write your own fiction or poetry, consider majoring in something else and taking creative writing classes as electives.

You Don't Need a Specific Major to Be a Writer

Writing isn't like engineering: you don't need a specific degree to pursue it professionally. The only thing that you need to do to be a writer is to write.

Most writing jobs, whether in publishing, journalism or teaching, don’t require or even expect you to have majored in creative writing. For the few positions that do require a writing degree, which are almost exclusively in academia, you'll actually need a graduate degree (generally an MFA).

Studying writing in school is a great way to motivate you to work on your writing and to get constructive feedback (more on this below), but it’s not the only way. A lot of great writers studied something totally unrelated to writing or didn’t go to college at all.

You Can Learn A Lot From Really Focusing on Writing

So far I've focused mostly on reasons you might not want or need to major in creative writing, but there's one very good reason to do so: you'll spend a lot of time writing, talking about writing, and reading your peers' writing.

One of the key features of any creative writing major is the workshop —a small class where students closely read and dissect each other’s work. Workshops can be very productive, since they offer the opportunity for lots of revision and rewriting. However, they also involve a lot of criticism and can be challenging for very sensitive people. Consider how you'll react to someone not liking your writing or suggesting ways to improve it.

Many creative writing majors also require a capstone project or creative BA thesis, which requires you to complete a substantive piece of work that's at or near publication ready. For students who are genuinely committed to publishing their writing, this project is an invaluable stepping stone.

Some Schools Have Special Opportunities for Creative Writing Majors

At schools with particularly strong writing programs, majors may have the opportunity to attend special readings or meetings with authors that aren't open to non-majors. They may also have priority for activities like working at the literary journal or university press.

These kinds of perks are completely dependent on the school, however, so make sure to research the specific programs that you're interested in.

Final Thoughts

Creative writing majors offer a unique opportunity to focus on the craft of writing, but they aren't right for everyone. If the following statements apply to you, a creative writing major could be a great fit:

You love to read and write.
You take criticism well and don't mind other people reading your work.
You want to pursue writing outside of the classroom as well as in it.

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Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT.

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Five Things I Learned in Creative Writing Class

by Melissa Donovan | May 4, 2023 | Creative Writing | 32 comments

What can you learn in a creative writing class?

People often ask me whether I think a formal education is necessary to a successful writing career. A degree certainly helps, but no, it’s not necessary. There are master writers who did not finish high school and plenty never went to college.

I want to be clear: I fully support higher education. If you pull me aside and ask whether I think you should go to college, I’m going to say, “Yes, of course you should!” I encounter plenty of writers (and other professionals) who lack confidence because they feel they need that degree to back up their abilities. That’s just not so. If you want to write, you should write, regardless of whether you have a degree.

Keep in mind that while a degree is helpful (and you certainly learn a lot of valuable things in college), it’s neither a license to write nor a guarantee that you’ll be successful. It doesn’t even ensure that you’ll write well. Whether you pursue higher education or not, it’s important to study the craft of writing. You can read books, join a writing group, or take a creative writing class.

Lessons from Creative Writing Class

Today, I thought I’d share a few lessons I learned when I took a creative writing class in college. This might provide some insight if you’re currently weighing whether to go to college or whether to study creative writing in college. This is by no means an exhaustive list; I’m going to highlight the most valuable lessons I learned — things that stuck with me and altered my life as a writer for the better. You’ll note that all of these are things you can learn outside of a classroom setting, if necessary.

1. Oh, so that’s what you mean by freewriting.

The first few days of my creative writing class, we spent ten to twenty minutes freewriting as soon as class started. About two weeks later, the instructor asked if anyone wanted to read one of their freewrites out loud. A volunteer stood up and started reading, and I realized I had been doing it wrong all along.

My freewrites were nothing more than diary entries. I simply wrote about whatever was going on in my life. But my classmate had written a mesmerizing stream-of-consciousness piece that sounded like something out of a dream. It was poetic! Oh, I thought, that’s what we’re supposed to be doing .

I had actually thought it odd that we were writing journals in class. Now it made sense! In creative writing class, I learned to freewrite every day as part of my writing practice and as a tool to generate raw material for poetry and story ideas. It had a huge impact on my writing and marked a time when my work and my writing practices went through dramatic improvements.

2. Some people work out with weights; we do writing exercises.

Writing exercises are where my technical skills saw the most progress. When you write whatever you want, whenever you want, there are aspects of the craft that inevitably escape you. Writing exercises and assignments forced me to think more strategically about my writing from a technical standpoint. It wasn’t about getting my ideas onto the page; it was about setting out to achieve a specific mission with my writing.

Many writing exercises that we did in class imparted valuable writing concepts; these were the exercises I treasured most because they helped me see my writing from various angles. Writing exercises also gave me a host of creativity methods that I use to this day to keep writer’s block at bay.

Finally, all those exercises I did back in college ultimately inspired my own book of creative writing exercises ; although the inspiration came from poetry and fiction writing courses as well as the creative writing class that I took.

3. The writing community is a treasure.

When I was in high school and a teacher would announce a quiz or a writing assignment, the students would let out a collective sigh and begrudgingly get to work. In creative writing class, when the instructor said, “Let’s do a writing exercise,” everybody got excited. We couldn’t pull out our notebooks and pens fast enough!

Here’s the thing about a creative writing class: everyone in the room wants to be there. They chose to be there. So there’s a lot of enthusiasm and passion. For the first time in my life, I found myself surrounded by people with whom I shared a common interest.

More importantly, there’s plenty of support and camaraderie. Prior to taking this class, I had shown a few pieces of my writing to friends and family, who mostly just nodded and said that it was good or that I was talented. In class, I was surrounded by other writers who were eager and interested to read what I had written, and the best part was that they offered suggestions that would make my writing even better! I can’t stress enough how warm I’ve found writers to be over the years. It’s an honor to be part of such a supportive community.

4. Nothing can replace a mentor.

In college, instructors who taught writing classes were all published authors. As a student, I had direct access to writers who had gone through all the rigors of everything that happens in the writing process : drafting, revising, submitting, publishing, and marketing.

These instructors were also extremely well versed in literature and the craft of writing (as they should be — that’s their job, after all). And there is nothing — no book, video, or article — that beats direct access to an experienced professional.

5. Right place, right time.

Perhaps the best lesson I gleaned from creative writing class was that I was in the right place at the right time. This was a feeling that came from within, a certainty that I was doing exactly what I was meant to be doing. The semester that I took a creative writing class was packed with odd coincidences and epiphanies. I was often overwhelmed with feelings of serendipity, and I stopped questioning whether I had made the right choice in pursuing creative writing as my field of study.

Alternatives to a Creative Writing Class

As I mentioned, most of these lessons can be learned outside of a creative writing class. You can discover writing techniques and strategies from books, blogs, and magazines. You can find a community and a mentor online or in local writing groups. And you can experience a sense of certainty just about anywhere.

I definitely recommend taking a creative writing class if you can, and if you’re truly dedicated to writing and intend on going to college, then it only makes sense to study it formally. However, for writers who can’t or haven’t gone to college, I say this: find another route. A creative writing class or a creative writing degree will be helpful to building a writing career, but these things are not essential.

Ready Set Write a Guide to Creative Writing

32 Comments

Hi Melissa, great post as always!

I just finished reading Natalie Goldberg’s ‘Writing Down the Bones’, in it she talks about writing practice. I also just purchased your book ‘101 Creative Writing Exercises’ and I’m loving it. But I’m still not quite getting freewriting either. I was wondering if you could tell me what I need to be doing to stop it sounding like a journal?

It takes a bit of practice if you have a hard time thinking or writing in the abstract. Instead of starting with a general freewrite, you might try a guided freewrite and work with a word or image. Instead of writing a diary-style journal, you will write about the image (or word) you have chosen. Go for something a bit on the bizarre side or choose an abstract image. The trick is to relax and let strange, obscure words and phrases come to mind, and then write those down.

Here are some suggestions for words and images to use for a guided freewrite: space, clouds, deep sea. You can also search online for abstract art and keep an image in front of you while you write. Make sure you turn off your inner editor. Don’t think about what you’re writing; just let the words flow. Good luck!

I love the idea of freewriting, but am so glad you defined it. I would have been journalling right along side you. But I write women’s fiction, so maybe that would have worked out for me in the end. My issue lately is a feeling of being uninspired. I think a creative writing class would definitely help with that.

My apprehension with taking more writing classes, in all honesty, is the subjectiveness of teachers. I have had wonderful writing experiences, but it never fails that you get that one teacher who doesn’t like your work, will never like your work. I don’t need that in my head.

My mother, also a writer, decided to get her English degree as an adult (I graduated college a semester before she did). She met up with a teacher that truly hated her writing. We have drastically different styles, so she asked me to help her. I ended up writing her papers and getting her an A.

Thanks for this post… you’ve inspired me to go write one of my own.

When I was attending community college, I had a teacher like that. Since I picked up on her bias early on, I was able to simply drop the class. She told me right to my face that she would grade me down if she didn’t agree with my opinion in a position paper. I almost reported her but decided to let it go and move on. It definitely helps to give yourself some leeway and check out your instructors before you sign on. I cannot support writing other people’s papers as that is a serious violation of every school policy. There are other ways to resolve issues with an instructor. Most schools will let you do a special withdrawal if there is a conflict like that.

Great content, Melissa. I certainly agree that you don’t need an MFA or even an undergraduate writing degree in order to be considered “a writer.” Anyone can write provided they put the time and effort in the right place. Although a few writing classes along the way can be an enormous help.

One thing I learned through a fiction writing class was that peer edits are invaluable. So often when you ask someone to edit your work you get the “it’s good” or “you misspelled something on page 9” response. What I realized in this course was that most writers want to be criticized (constructively, of course). Writers are generally driven to continually improve their craft. Peer edits are a great way to do this, and as a result I no longer feel bad when critiquing someone else’s work. It only helps them.

Thanks for the post.

I couldn’t agree more. When I was in school, feedback was the single most valuable learning experience. Many writers struggle emotionally with critiques but I never did. I just got excited that people were invested enough to help me improve my work!

Though I have not taken a creative writing class, I can relate to many of the elements on some level. Less than a year ago, I went from a small company, to solo freelancing, and after a few months joined a big company. It was nice having co-workers again. We are computer programmers and we write code. Now that I am working with other people, I get to see what they wrote and how they wrote certain things. (There wasn’t really an equivalence to freewriting, though!) When I was working by myself, I had a tendency to just do things a certain way. Now I get more experienced programmers as mentors and they would push me to look into certain ways of doing things that I wasn’t familiar with. So yeah. Many of the same elements.

I am thinking that it’s the structure, sense of community, and the immediacy of feedbacks that really help.

As much as I love being self-employed, I’m hugely grateful for over a decade of on-the-job experience working with other people. I’m pretty sure that without having been mentored by professionals in the business world, my self-employment would have been blind and amateurish. I do miss having coworkers though. Social media is wonderful, but it’s not a true replacement for that sense of community.

I love this post. As an English major, there are times when I just want to quit school and focus on writing. I feel like the constraints and expectations in college are limiting my creativity. I have not gotten enough pre-reqs out of the way in which to take a creative writing class, but I definitely will now.

The community is the best part.

I say don’t give up on college! In addition to all the things you’ll learn about writing, it will enrich you as a human being. Stick with it; you’ll be glad you did.

Fantastic list! And very true. Especially the community feel, that’s probably what I miss the most now that I’m done.

That’s definitely what I miss the most. Plus, I used to love being on campus (I went to two different schools with gorgeous campuses). I’ve thought about going back for my MFA. Maybe someday…

Good one, Melissa. I like what you said re the writing exercises. Good reminder. It’s easy to get all caught up in pumping out blog posts and ebooks and trying to get through that novel rewrite and skip those exercises. And, yes, those critiques really help. I’m amazed at times at what I don’t see that needs more clarity in my writing.

Thanks, Bill. Yes, there’s so much we can do with exercises. I use them within larger projects. For example, I can apply various fiction writing exercises to a novel that I’m writing. I’ll generate material that won’t end up in the manuscript, but it’s good for the writing muscles!

A friend of mine tells me that i am still not giving my all for writing and I should not delve into a career in writing till I reach that level.I believe I am trying whatever I can at the moment.I can only get better by writing more and with more time and effort I will grow more as a writer.But that statement of my friend creates lot of self-doubt in me whether I will make it as a writer.

Hi Peter. I don’t know your friend and am not familiar with your writing, so I can’t give you any specific feedback about how much work your writing needs, but you are correct: the more you write, the better it will get. Your writing will also improve if you read a lot. One tip I can offer is to proofread everything you write, including comments on blogs like this. Get a book or two on the craft of writing, and definitely get a second opinion (don’t limit the feedback on your writing to one person).

A million thanks to you mellisa! you see as a child i loved books and writting but lost my way in life.Now i am quiety returning to what i loved.However its difficult.I began searching the internet for advice and i found your site.I am so elated!I feel that i am now being gently held by the hand to write and with a greater understanding of what i am supposed to do.I am in my fortieth year,but i know it’s never too late.This is one of the most instructive sites i’ve found.!

Thanks so much for your kind words. I’m always thrilled when people return to writing after so many years. What a wonderful reawakening that must be. I wish you the best of luck with your writing, Jesma.

Thanks for the suggestions! I’m in the eighth grade, but my English teachers have always said that I write at an advanced high school level. I love writing, I really do. I’ve read classic and modern literature to tweak my style, and also personally studied different techniques, like the ones you’ve provided here. Unfortunately, like I said, I’m an eighth grader, so I can’t go enroll at a university for writing classes. But I’m not challenged enough with my basic English curriculum. Do you have any suggestions for me to get better?

Hi Molly. The best suggestion I can give you is simply this: read and write. Read as much as you can, and read across different forms (essays, poetry, fiction) and genres (literary, speculative, etc.). Nothing will improve your writing like reading good books, and if you can absorb a lot of literature now, then when you get to college, you’ll be leagues ahead of your peers when you take writing workshops and classes.

Good luck to you!

Thankyou so much for writing this, I really want to start a writing career but don’t know where to start, this is really helpfull! Do you mind if I ask which university you went to as I’m just about to start my finall year doing A-levels and I’m looking around at uni’s and I want to make sure I go to the right on. Thanks again!!

I chose my school based on location. It was close to home and I didn’t have to move. If you do a search online, you’ll find which universities are known for their writing programs.

Great info, Melissa. Thanks. I especially liked your explanation about freewriting. That might mean different things to different people. You described it well.

Hi Marcy. Yes, freewriting has many variations, so it can definitely mean different things to different people. Thanks!

Thanks for the tips and telling us what it’s like to be in a Creative Writing class. I’m just wondering… I’m a new university student and I took a writing class in high school and thought it was a great experience. I love writing short stories and writing poetry. But now, I’m in university, I really want to take that course but I have terrible grammar and i dont know if anyone would take it

Every university is different, but in my experience, the creative writing instructors weren’t sticklers about grammar. Having said that, if you feel your grammar could be improved, why not work on it? It will not only improve your short stories and poems, it will also benefit you in communications and probably in your career as well. But I wouldn’t worry about it too much, especially in a creative class and as a new student. That’s why you’re there: to learn.

Great article. Thanks for the explanation of freewriting. I do this sometimes before I begin a big writing task — just didn’t realize I was freewriting!

And, I couldn’t agree more about writing exercises. My entire career is essentially based on executing high-level writing exercises for clients within a scope and a deadline. It’s like writing for your life — no better way to improve your skills!

My co-workers have wondered why I also write for online magazines or enter writing contests, especially if all I ever do is write. However, I believe it’s critical to challenge yourself and continue strengthening that creative muscle. My social writing circle is practically non-existent because I am the writing mentor for colleagues, and with such a demanding job, it’s difficult to find time to talk to others about writing or where to find writing courses.

This was a refreshing read that reminded me of the importance of making those connections again. Thank you.

Thanks. I love freewriting, and it’s a great way to warm up for a writing session.

Thanks for your post Melissa, it brought a lot of good insight to the forefront of my mind–especially about freewriting.

In middle and high school I was a gifted underachiever. Then I spent my late teens and twenties exposing myself to a substantial amount of literature, life lessons, fickle pathways at community college, partying, and jobs–so many jobs. When I finally made some headway with respect to credits, getting those much desired A’s, I finally felt ready to transfer to university and make a career with my eminent computer science degree. Except my life was tumultuous at best, and I was suddenly faced with a problem new to me–crippling insomnia.

These past five years I’ve had to humbly and patiently nurture myself to health. After a lot of introspection I came to accept that my academic path in life had been more to please other people rather than thriving in that which truly excites me–writing and teaching math (tutoring people for the GED helped me realize this).

I’m finally ready to start exercizing my writing skills again. My well of life experience and creativity make generating content simple. But I’m excited to re-familiarize myself with the fundamentals–to really put in the necessary work it takes to write naturally, with clarity and beautiful simplicity as you and others do.

I don’t know exactly where my writing will bring me after university, but I will have all the space and time I need to write while living off my land in my tiny home and tending to my vegetable garden. I appreciate you and the other commenters here for your effort and insight. I’m 32 and I feel as though I’m 18 again, with my whole life ahead of me–and without the essential naivety youth provides (or at least less of it!).

Hi Mark. Thanks for sharing your writing journey with us. One of the things I love about writing is that it’s always there for us, no matter how long we’ve been away. Welcome back to the craft.

I have learned much from blogs like this one, and other writers I’ve got to know on the internet. I did not do a creative writing course as I did Science with English Literature and Mathematics as subsidiaries. I am grateful for the writers of those blogs and the authors of the many books I’ve read. Also, I am in two online critique groups that I find helpful. I take your point about people who don’t like your writing. Recently,I posted a work on one group. One critiquer suggested I cut one paragraph of description as she said it added nothing. The next critique I read told me that the critiquer loved my descriptions! You can’t please everyone.

I have been in some settings with critique groups and absolutely loved it. Nothing improved my writing faster or more than workshopping and critiques. Yes, opinions will vary, but the feedback is still interesting and can be useful.

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6 reasons why every college student should take a creative writing class.

Once you’ve picked a major in college, you’ve got your classes laid out for you until you graduate, and your open spaces for electives are precious hours a week where you can explore different areas of study or just goof off.

1. Learn to take and give feedback

Most creative-writing courses require students to create and share prose and poetry, and the discussion of what works and doesn’t work in each piece can be stressful. However, putting your work and ideas out there is crucial, not just for your own success but for the success of others.

2. Get those creative juices flowing

The beauty of writing is that nearly anything goes. If you like dragons, then write about dragons. If you like contemporary teenage fiction, go for it. If you like avant-garde stuff that just describes the color yellow, do it. Whatever you write, you just have to make it your own.

3. Dealing with deadlines

A creative-writing class can make a procrastinator sweat. As it turns out, writing a whole, not-terrible story the day the assignment is due, unless you google best essay writing services Australia , is not going to be very good most of the time, and the added pressure will probably stall whatever creative faculties are happening in the brain. And if a person can’t manage a to write story in a fairly low-stakes situation, then how will they manage when they have to turn in reports or finish a job on time?

4. Perfection isn’t real

One of the most difficult lessons to learn is that perfection isn’t feasible, especially not in a first draft. Creative-writing classes are the perfect playground to discover this fact, because chances are good that you will turn in something that isn’t great. Even though writing is subjective, there tends to be an issue with writers deeply wanting every single one of their pieces to become their magnum opus, and that’s not realistic.

I turned in a piece after a painful round of edits, and even though my classmates seemed to enjoy it, I only saw where I needed to improve. I loved the story, but I couldn’t make it “perfect,” whatever that might mean. I figured out that I should just strive for better in my next story instead of destroying myself over details that were probably fine. Writing is all about the progress made, and creative-writing classes teach that lesson.

5. Cultivate better writers

The other truth is that written communication is extremely important, no matter what career you pursue. Sounding competent, clearly conveying information and being professional helps every work environment run smoothly, and writing ability makes you more employable .

6. It’s fun!

Your imagination is bound only by your ability and willingness to create, and the stories that emerge will always bring something new to the discussion. And honestly, some really fantastic ideas don’t always come from the writing majors. Even if you aren’t a writer, getting to create your own fiction or poetry can be fun.

Other courses in college don’t always allow for boundless imaginations to run free, and a creative-writing course allows students to explore ideas and take a break from the humdrum of their major coursework. That freedom can be refreshing.

Allison Kestler, Augustana College

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Home › University › A Level Requirements For Popular University Degrees (An A-Z) › A Level Requirements for Creative Writing

A Level Requirements for Creative Writing

Published October 31, 2022

a typewriter with a ruler and a piece of paper

Are you trying to figure our what a-levels to take for creative writing? There are so many combinations of A-Levels that it can be hard to know which one is right combo for you.

And if you get it wrong, you might miss your dream university course.

That’s why we ensure that our creative writing summer course students have 1:1 personalised tutorials with world-renowned tutors. So they’ll have the best guidance in deciding their next steps in education.

We’ve also done the research for you and have come up with the A-Level requirements of the best Creative Writing universities in the UK. Plus, we’ve given practical tips to help you become a better Creative Writer.

Read on to find out more!

What Is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is a form of writing that expresses emotions, feelings, and thoughts in an imaginative way. Types of creative writing include:

Short stories
Screenplays
Television scripts
Personal Essays
Journals/Personal memoirs

It’s different from academic or technical writing, which requires one to stick to the facts without personal additions.

When writing stories, creative writers use the elements of creative writing, such as:

Plot – series of events consisting of the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Setting – the time and place of the story
Characters – the ones who experience the plot and the setting
Point of View – the lens through which the reader experiences the story
Theme – the idea or message the author wants to relate to the reader

Creative writers use strong verbs and adjectives to describe their characters and settings. They also use figurative language such as metaphors and similes to appeal to the readers’ emotions and imagination.

If you want to learn more about creative writing, check out our full what is creative writing guide.

Why Study Creative Writing?

Because when you want to persuade or entertain by appealing to the readers’ thoughts and emotions, Creative Writing is a powerful medium. When was the last time you were moved to tears when reading a character’s tragedy in a novel? What song did you listen to recently that gave you strong nostalgia, bringing up memories of a time long gone?

In Creative Writing, the author shares their human experience that the readers can relate to. You can move hearts and minds by sharing your experiences following Creative Writing principles.

What are real-world examples that call upon you to exercise Creative Writing?

During university applications, when you need to submit your personal statement
Sharing what you’ve learned from a module in an essay format as part of academic assessments in the university
Writing a letter to your family, friend, or loved one to greet them during important milestones
Encouraging potential customers to avail of your products or services
Making a cover letter to convince a company to recruit you as part of the team
Composing a song to woo a lover or attract listeners to buy your music.
Creating a Youtube script for your vlogs
Writing a book to promote your personal brand

Do you see how Creative Writing is everywhere? Here are some of the many benefits of learning creative writing:

Enhances your written communication skills for improved confidence and self-expression
Sharpens your critical thinking and reasoning skills
Increases your chances of career success because many job positions require creative written work, especially in marketing and customer service
Deepens your empathy because Creative Writing requires you to think from another person’s shoes
Expressive writing, especially about painful life events, is a therapeutic tool. That’s why therapists encourage patients to write in their journals daily.
Strengthens your imagination and encourages you to think outside the box, which improves your problem-solving skills

Creative Writing is an essential skill you must learn to thrive in the hyper-information age we live in today.

Is There an A-Level for Creative Writing?

There isn’t an official A-Level for Creative Writing as there is for Maths or Chemistry. But there is an A-Level for:

English Language
English Language and Literature
English Literature

Are you looking for an A-Level for Creative Writing because you want to get a feel of what Creative Writing study is like in a school setting? Do you want to experience Creative Writing at the university level before studying it in higher education? Consider taking the Immerse Education Creative Writing summer course for 13-18 years old at the University of Cambridge, Oxford, or Sydney.

You’ll gain 1:1 personalised tutorials from expert Creative Writing tutors from Oxford and Cambridge. So you can make well-informed decisions for your next steps in education.

Is Creative Writing an English Major?

Yes, Creative Writing can be an English Major. You’ll often encounter it as “English Literature with Creative Writing BA” or “BA English and Creative Writing.” Top schools that offer such Creative Writing degrees include:

English Literature with Creative Writing – University of Leeds , University of Warwick , Newcastle University , University of East Anglia UEA
English and Creative Writing – University of Strathclyde , University of Birmingham , Royal Holloway University of London , Lancaster University , University of Nottingham

But some universities offer Creative Writing as a standalone BA course, such as the University of Plymouth .

What Creative Writing Degrees Can You Study?

We’ve previously mentioned these undergraduate Creative Writing degrees:

English Literature with Creative Writing
English and Creative Writing
Creative Writing

Others include:

American Literature with Creative Writing – University of East Anglia UEA
Journalism and Creative Writing – Falmouth University , University of Leicester , University of Lincoln ,
Theatre: Writing, Directing and Performance – University of York

What A-Levels Do You Need To Apply For a Creative Writing Degree?

To determine what A-Levels you need to apply for a Creative Writing degree, let’s take a look at the entry requirements of the Top Universities for Creative Writing :

University of Strathclyde English and Creative Writing – ABB-BBB, with English Language or English Literature at B
University of Birmingham English and Creative Writing – AAB with B for English Literature
University of Leeds English Literature with Creative Writing – AAA with English Language, or English Literature, or English Language and Literature
University of Warwick English Literature with Creative Writing – AAA or A*AB, with A in English Literature or English Language and Literature
Newcastle University English Literature with Creative Writing – AAB, with English Language or English Literature

Based on what the top UK Universities for Creative Writing require, English Language or English Language and Literature are common requirements. What should you take for the remaining two subjects? Anything from science/maths and arts. Taking a wide range of A-Level subjects is most preferred by a majority of schools and by a vast range of courses. It’s best to keep your options open!

What Topics Does a Creative Writing Degree Cover?

The usual topics a Creative Writing degree covers include:

Creative Writing foundation
English studies
Mediaeval and Early Modern literature
Contemporary cultures
Modern fiction
Poetry writing
Prose writing
Drama and Media Writing
Drama, Theatre, and Performance

Creative Writing with English Literature often involves reading literature in various styles and eras, from the middle ages to modern times.

How Will You be Assessed?

The specifics of assessments differ from one university to another. But here are the common ways Creative Writing students are assessed:

Written work, including essays, poetry, plays, fiction, and short fiction
Oral presentation
Individual and group presentations
Formal exam
Research project
Assignments

How To Do Creative Writing

Do you want to start your Creative Writing journey but are unsure how? We know exactly what you’re looking for. Here are 4 practical tips to help you get started:

1. Read, read, and read some more!

There’s a reason why English and Creative Writing courses require you to read tons of material. How else will you learn how to write if you do not have the inspiration to draw from? Reading gives you a wellspring of ideas. It serves as the fuel for your imagination and creativity.

When you read something that captivates you, take note of it. Dissect it! What words and sentences made the most impact on you? What are the very first words of the text? How did it catch your attention? Study each chapter and examine how it begins and ends. What strategies did the author use to make you want to read the next chapter?

Do you see where we’re going? You don’t have to develop a new and untried formula when doing Creative Writing. All you need to do is choose a formula that has worked throughout the centuries, tweak it according to your intention and audience, and double down on making each sentence valuable and imaginative.

Let’s look at storytelling, for instance. Take Romeo and Juliet. Is forbidden love a new concept? Nope. Forbidden love has been a repeated theme throughout human history. But it’s the way Shakespeare crafted the characters that captured the readers’ hearts and made them feel the intense tragedy of the star-crossed lovers.

So when you read, remember to gather notes and inspiration. And when you feel like there’s zero creativity going on, look at the writings you’ve included in your collection. You’d be surprised at how it can revive your imagination!

2. Never Stop Writing

The classic adage “practice makes perfect” especially rings true in Creative Writing. Do you know expert writers have a habit of daily writing? They may use Creative Writing prompts and exercises to practice turning thoughts into the right words.

Do you dream of having the ability to write in a smooth flow? Start by doing the 10-minute free-flow writing. It’s called “free-flow” because the rule is to write everything that comes to mind immediately.

It doesn’t have to make sense. And for 10 minutes, you can throw the spelling and grammar rules out the window. The goal is to remove the fear of the blank page by writing without self-judgment. Try out our creative writing prompts if you’re lacking creativity – there are over 300 of them!

You’ll be more comfortable writing when you practice this simple exercise daily. Once you reach a certain level of comfortability, begin recording random ideas that pop into your head. Maybe you had thought of writing a mystery story in a World War II setting. Perhaps you witnessed an exceptionally breathtaking sunset that inspired you to write a poem.

It doesn’t matter if you think it’s a bad idea. Put it in your writing journal! Who knows? You might come back to it later, and it’ll become one of the most remarkable pieces of writing you’ll have the pleasure of creating.

3. Try Out Writing Courses

What better way to hit the ground running than to learn from experts who’ve been where you want to be? There are many Creative Writing courses you can try.

Check out our creative writing summer courses . You’ll have world-class tutors from prestigious universities such as Oxford and Cambridge who are eager to share their expertise with you.

Why is it an excellent idea to take courses? Because it’ll accelerate your learning process and boost your confidence.

4. Join Writing Communities

There’s nothing like having a group of like-minded people enthusiastic about Creative Writing as much as you are, and even more so! When you join Creative Writing communities, you’ll have the opportunity to hear other peoples’ writing stories and strategies.

In addition, you can share your struggles to receive the support you need to keep going! Some even go as far as reading each other’s works and giving constructive feedback.

What Are the Postgraduate Opportunities For Creative Writing?

Here are the common postgraduate opportunities available for Creative Writing:

MA in Creative Writing
MA Screenwriting
PhD in Creative Writing

Not interested in postgraduate education? Learn about creative writing career choices that have high paying salaries.

What Are Similar Subjects to Creative Writing?

Similar subjects to Creative Writing include:

If you’re pursuing a career in creative writing, it’s important to take the right A-Levels. English Language and English Literature a-level are two of the most common subjects for aspiring writers, but other options are also available.

To learn more about the topics you can expect to learn from a university-level Creative Writing programme with Immerse, download a syllabus overview .

Creative Writing courses can be found in several prestigious universities, so it’s important to have a strong foundation in your chosen subject. Taking the right A-Levels will set you up for success in your future writing career.

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Why Learn Creative Writing? 5 Reasons to Study the Craft
The Benefits of Creative Writing. 1. Why Learn Creative Writing: Improved Self-Expression. Improving your writing skills leads to stronger communication. When you practice finding the right word in a story or poem, you engage the same parts of your brain that are active in everyday writing and speaking.
Five reasons to study creative writing
Here are five reasons why you should develop your creative writing skills and let your imagination run wild. 1. Develops your storytelling. People care about stories, so knowing how to tell them in an engaging way is a valuable skill. When you study creative writing, you learn how to create written work that is persuasive, informative, and ...
Is a Creative Writing Degree Worth It? Let's Get Into It
When you pursue a Bachelor of Arts, you can expect to get a well-rounded education that includes writing instruction as well as a balanced emphasis on the sciences and humanities. It's a liberal arts degree, basically, and it's the most common choice for students seeking a creative writing education.
Creative Writing: What It Is and Why It Matters
How We Define Creative Writing. Creative writing is any form where writers can express their thoughts and feelings imaginatively. This type of writing allows authors to draw on their imagination when creating stories and characters and play with language and structure. While there are no boundaries in creative writing, most pieces will contain ...
What is Creative Writing and Why Do I Need to Study It?
It aims to entertain, to move, to inspire, to become art. Creative writing can encompass fiction, poetry or scripts, basically anything that focuses on narrative, character development or literary themes and aims to elicit an emotional response from the reader. When you write creatively, you are telling your audience a story, you are asking ...
Do You Need a Creative Writing Degree to Succeed as a Writer?
If you possess strong writing skills and are somewhat of an autodidact (a person who is self-taught), then you may not need a degree in creative writing. For some such people, a degree is completely unnecessary. On the other hand, if your writing is weak or if you need guidance and would appreciate the help of instructors and peers, maybe you ...
Five reasons to study Creative Writing
2. It's truly creative. Creative Writing is a unique challenge, demanding you to make things from nothing as no other subject does. Though you'll be channelling the skills you've been taught into a specific project, you'll be making something entirely new; characters, creatures and entire living, breathing worlds. 3.
5 Benefits of Studying Creative Writing
One of the main benefits of studying Creative Writing is that, despite its name, it doesn't just help with your writing skills. [bctt tweet="Studying Creative Writing, despite its name, doesn't just help with your writing skills." username="KristinaAurelia"] 4. You Learn to Workshop and Critique. Workshopping is a fun way to bond ...
Why You Should Study Writing
Here are some of the benefits you'll reap when you study writing: Obviously, studying anything, including writing, is a way to acquire knowledge. The more you study, the more you'll know. If you want to be good at writing, you'll need to explore the craft in greater depth. When you study writing, you also gain practical experience because ...
8 Good Reasons to Study Creative Writing
A tutor will task students to write a variety of different assignments and by experimenting with different genres, a writer will expose themself to an inner voice they may never have otherwise known existed. If you enjoy writing fiction, write a memoir. If you love poetry, write an article. Try a screenplay, a crime story, a blog!
What is Creative Writing? The Medium of Self-Expression
Creative Writing is a form of self-expression that allows you to use your imagination and creativity. It can be in the form of personal essays, short stories, or poems. It is often used as an outlet for emotions and experiences. Start with creative writing by reading through creative writing examples to help get you in the mood.
7 Reasons to Study Creative Writing
We had to write a poem/short story/creative non-fiction piece, read other students' work, give feedback, do readings, etc. every week. There was no time to dilly-dolly and willy-waddle. The MFA taught me to churn out work. It forced me to do this and created a lasting habit. 3. An MFA introduces you to a community.
Why You Should Study Literature and Creative Writing
This is part of what makes the study of literature and creative writing so essential. It reveals to us how we can take a practical tool we use daily, our written language, and transform it into something that illuminates, teaches, and inspires. ... With creative writing, you decide how to bridge the gap between yourself and the world and what ...
Creative Writing degrees
What is Creative Writing is an exciting subject. To study it is to learn all the skills needed to enter a long, illustrious and ongoing storytelling tradition., what qualifications do you need and why study Creative Writing is an exciting subject. To study it is to learn all the skills needed to enter a long, illustrious and ongoing storytelling tradition..
8 Reasons To Explore Creative Writing (Even If You're Not An ...
Photo by Alejandro Escamilla on Unsplash 3. You can share your experiences. Not every creative writer started out by dreaming of being an author. Many published authors transitioned into creative ...
8 Tips for Getting Started With Creative Writing
Action: In creative writing, action should occur for a reason—characters' actions should be based on their motivations, their points of view, and their previous choices. A protagonist's actions should always propel them toward their main goal in a way that is related to the plot events at hand. A character's goals affect their character ...
Why the teaching of creative writing matters
Read far and wide to become a better writer. Pexels. Importantly, they should read things such as advertising billboards and street signs, the shapes of buildings, the colour of the pavement, the ...
Should You Really Be A Creative Writing Major? · PrepScholar
One of the key features of any creative writing major is the workshop —a small class where students closely read and dissect each other's work. Workshops can be very productive, since they offer the opportunity for lots of revision and rewriting. However, they also involve a lot of criticism and can be challenging for very sensitive people.
Five Things I Learned in Creative Writing Class
5. Right place, right time. Perhaps the best lesson I gleaned from creative writing class was that I was in the right place at the right time. This was a feeling that came from within, a certainty that I was doing exactly what I was meant to be doing. The semester that I took a creative writing class was packed with odd coincidences and epiphanies.
15 Things You'll Learn Studying Creative Writing at University
An expected part of Creative Writing degrees is writing commentaries. You'll have to write a commentary to go with each creative piece that you submit. You'll have to justify each and every decision you've made, refer back to your work, and quote from textbooks. The tone that you use should be more formal than your creative work, too.
The Downsides to Studying Creative Writing
The rules that you've learnt studying Creative Writing will make it difficult for you to switch off your editor mode, meaning that unless a book is incredibly well written, you won't be able to help but dissect it. Some courses also contain Literature modules — you can also study Creative Writing with Literature — and those modules are ...
6 Reasons Why Every College Student Should Take a Creative Writing Class
1. Learn to take and give feedback. Most creative-writing courses require students to create and share prose and poetry, and the discussion of what works and doesn't work in each piece can be stressful. However, putting your work and ideas out there is crucial, not just for your own success but for the success of others.
A Level Requirements for Creative Writing
To determine what A-Levels you need to apply for a Creative Writing degree, let's take a look at the entry requirements of the Top Universities for Creative Writing : University of Strathclyde English and Creative Writing - ABB-BBB, with English Language or English Literature at B. University of Birmingham English and Creative Writing ...
The Importance of Creative Expression and How to Get Started
If you see yourself in Tony's story, and you can identify the lines you might be telling yourself over and over again that are keeping you scared and stuck—your job here is to face that story head-on and start to unravel it, so that you can open up your energy to move your creative expression up and out.

Why Learn Creative Writing?

The Basics of a Writing Workshop

The Benefits of Creative Writing

2. Why Learn Creative Writing: Job Success

3. Why Learn Creative Writing: Improved Thinking Skills

4. Why Learn Creative Writing: Empathy

5. Why Learn Creative Writing: It’s Fun!

The Importance of Creative Writing

Jobs for Creative Writers

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Reasons to Learn Creative Writing: Finding a Writing Community

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Is a Creative Writing Degree Worth It? Let’s Get Into It.

Benefits of Pursuing a Creative Writing Degree

Develop Strong Writing Skills

Explore Diverse Genres and Styles

Build Your Network

Widen Career Options

Types of Creative Writing Degrees

Undergraduate Degrees

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Creative Writing

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Creative Writing

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Writing

Graduate Degrees

Master of Arts (MA) in Creative Writing

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing

PhD in Creative Writing

Writing Workshops vs. Writing Courses

What Makes a Course a Course?

What Makes a Workshop a Workshop?

Renowned Creative Writing Programs

Choosing the Right Creative Writing Program

Career Opportunities with a Creative Writing Degree

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Creative Writing: What It Is and Why It Matters

How We Define Creative Writing

The Importance of Creative Writing

Creative Writing: A Path to Mental and Emotional Wellness

Stress Relief and Emotional Catharsis

Improved Communication and Self-Expression

Increased Empathy and Understanding of Others

The Professional Benefits of Creative Writing

Preparing Students for Careers in Writing, Editing, and Publishing

Improving Skills in Storytelling and Marketing for Various Careers

Enhancing Team Collaboration and Leadership Skills

Uncovering the Power of Creative Writing

Preserving Cultural Heritage with Creative Writing

Promoting Social Change & Activism with Creative Writing

Fostering Creativity & Innovation with Creative Writing

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is Creative Writing and Why Do I Need to Study It?

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8 Good Reasons to Study Creative Writing

1. Enhancing Writing Skills

2. Encouraging Critical Thinking

3. Fostering a Sense of Community

4. Providing Access to Experienced Instructors

5. Building a Writing Routine

6. Enhancing Emotional Intelligence

7. Boosting Confidence

8. Offering a Creative Outlet

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Why You Should Study Literature and Creative Writing

1. Literature Teaches Us About the Human Condition

2. Literature Teaches Us How to Empathize With Others

3. Writing Helps Us Break Down Barriers